Clackamas County invites public to comment on proposed 2013-14 budget Wednesday, May 22

Clackamas County is inviting public comment as part of its proceedings toward development of a budget covering fiscal year 2013-14. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 115 of the Development Services Building, 150 Beavercreek Road, Oregon City.

The county's proposed annual budget totals $601,957,655. The all-funds budget, including seven service districts is $793,567,217. The proposed budget reflects a "bounce-back" in housing that will bring anticipated growth of 3.25 percent in property taxes, according to the annual budget report that was presented Monday. The new fiscal year starts July 1.

County Commissioners have established the following priorities:

·Addressing the county's deteriorating road system. Oregon law precludes the use of general funds to build and maintain roads. Ongoing discussions with the Clackamas County Coordinating Committee (C-4) have considered potential gas tax increases or vehicle registration fees to deal with this problem.

·Economic development and growing jobs by supporting the expansion of available industrial lands through the Clackamas investment strategy.

·A thorough review of the county's public housing stock which includes a performance review of the Housing Authority.

Public testimony will be presented to the County budget committee which comprises the five-member Board of County Commissioners along with five citizen members. The citizen members are Jeff Caton, Frank Magdlen, Karina Mayner, Debra Newton and Kent Wyatt.